DOCUMENTARY OSCARS; An Omission but Not a Sin

In his article, John Anderson's implication that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has an uneven history on documentaries has some validity, but the absence of "Grizzly Man" from this year's short list is not evidence that nothing has changed. There were an extraordinary number of strong candidates this year, and the inclusion or omission of any one of them may reflect something other than incompetence or bias. My own Directors Guild of America gave "Grizzly Man" its highest award, but the International Documentary Association passed over it. As for other potential nominees, the academy's focus on documentaries that screen in theaters first is a requirement that holds for every Oscar category. Filmmakers who are serious about contending can usually find a way to meet it.

Michael Apted Los Angeles

The writer is a documentary governor for the academy and president of the Directors Guild of America.